As part of the MIRACLE project, representatives from higher education institutions in Latin America and Europe participated in a strategic workshop at the University of Salamanca, Spain, in April 2025.
The meeting was attended by the University of Manizales, the Autonomous University of Manizales, the Catholic University of Manizales, the University of Caldas, and the National University of Colombia – Manizales campus (Colombia); the National University of Costa Rica and the State Distance University (Costa Rica); the University of Salamanca (Spain); and the Pan European University (Slovakia).
The meeting resulted in the development of a joint plan to strengthen institutional internationalization, based on a collaborative diagnosis, shared priorities, and strategic monitoring indicators.
Shared diagnosis: strengths, opportunities, and challenges
The process was based on a regional SWOT analysis that identified important strengths such as active participation in cooperation networks (ASCUN, RCI, Coimbra, CONARE), the existence of consolidated quality assurance systems, and a wide range of high-level academic programs. The institutional commitment to internationalization on the part of senior management and the regional presence of universities through extension platforms were also highlighted.
Among the opportunities, access to international funding (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe), growing student interest in global experiences, and the possibility of aligning institutional actions with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were recognized.
However, structural weaknesses were also identified, such as the low level of institutionalization of internationalization in some universities, poor foreign language skills, the limited offer of programs in English, and weak links between teaching, research, and the international focus. Added to this are external threats such as political instability, the absence of common platforms for Euro-Latin American coordination, and migration restrictions that limit academic mobility.
Strategic indicators: measurement and evaluation
As part of the plan, a robust set of evaluation indicators was proposed to monitor the progress of universities in each strategic dimension. In academic mobility, an Academic Mobility Index (AMI) will be developed, accompanied by annual metrics for students, faculty, and administrative staff. In international cooperation, the percentage of active agreements, resources captured, number of projects, and academic products generated will be measured. Regarding curriculum internationalization, indicators will focus on evaluating global intercultural learning, dual degree programs, courses in foreign languages, virtual exchanges, and international experiences in the classroom.
Data governance for strategic decisions
One of the plan’s innovations is the implementation of a data governance model that ensures the quality and traceability of institutional information. This integrated system will centralize and systematize data related to internationalization, facilitating strategic decision-making, compliance with regulatory standards, and the strengthening of international partnerships. It also seeks to increase the global visibility of participating universities and consolidate their position in the international academic arena.
The strategic plan represents a joint commitment to transform internationalization from a regional, collaborative, and quality-oriented perspective, reaffirming the role of Latin American universities as key players in global higher education.